Fujiwa Glasstel Captain Blue 7/8" x 1-7/8" Porcelain Mosaic

Product Overview

Fujiwa Glasstel Captain Blue 7/8" x 1-7/8" Porcelain Brick Mosaic Tile combines the luminous appearance of glass with the practical durability of glazed porcelain. Captain Blue features a saturated aquatic palette with rich royal-blue, cobalt, and deep marine tones that respond beautifully to sunlight and moving water.

Petite rectangular chips are arranged in a staggered brick pattern on mesh-mounted sheets, creating a clean linear rhythm across pool waterlines, raised spa walls, backsplashes, shower walls, and decorative architectural features. The compact format also helps the sheets conform to gently curved pool and spa surfaces.

Part of Fujiwa’s pool-focused Glasstel Collection, Captain Blue provides a polished coastal appearance without being manufactured from glass.

Technical Specifications

Confirm sheet measurements and carton packaging against the current production label before ordering large quantities.

Recommended Applications

• Swimming-pool waterlines

• Spa waterlines and raised spa walls

• Poolside water-feature walls

• Kitchen and bar backsplashes

• Bathroom and vanity walls

• Shower walls and decorative bands

• Fireplace surrounds outside required heat-clearance areas

• Residential countertops where mosaic tile is appropriate

• Wet-bar and hospitality feature walls

• Interior and approved exterior vertical surfaces

Fujiwa does not publish a DCOF or wet-floor slip rating for this product. Do not describe it as slip-safe or specify it for shower floors, pool floors, steps, or other walking surfaces without written project-specific approval.

Installation and Handling Guidelines

IMPORTANT: POOL AND SUBMERGED-TILE SETTING SYSTEM

Pool and spa installations require setting and grouting products specifically approved for porcelain mosaics, continuous moisture, treated water, and the project’s environmental conditions.

• Install over a clean, stable, properly prepared substrate designed for the application.

• Pool shells, spas, showers, and water features require a complete waterproofing and preparation system. Tile and grout do not waterproof the underlying structure.

• Use a premium white polymer-modified mortar meeting ANSI A118.4 or A118.15 and approved for porcelain mosaics and submerged or pool environments.

• Follow the mortar manufacturer’s cure-time requirements before grouting, filling the pool, or exposing the installation to water.

• Use a small-notched trowel appropriate for the mosaic thickness. Flatten the mortar ridges before installing the sheets to prevent lines from showing through the grout joints.

• Embed each sheet evenly with a grout float or padded beating block. Achieve at least 95% mortar contact in wet, exterior, and pool applications.

• Dry-lay several sheets before installation to distribute the blue tones and identify the correct sheet orientation.

• Adjust individual chips along sheet edges where necessary to prevent visible sheet outlines.

• Use a pool-rated cementitious, high-performance, or epoxy grout selected according to the installer’s requirements and the chemical conditions of the water.

• Clean grout residue promptly from the glazed surface and follow the grout manufacturer’s curing procedure.

• Provide movement and perimeter joints according to TCNA EJ171 and applicable pool-construction requirements. Do not fill designated movement joints with rigid grout.

• Cut with a wet saw and a fine continuous-rim diamond blade suitable for porcelain mosaic tile.

• Do not dry-cut or grind the tile because airborne crystalline-silica dust can cause serious respiratory injury.

• Order approximately 10–15% additional material for cuts, sheet alignment, color blending, breakage, and future repairs.

Pool Installation Considerations

• Confirm that the mortar, grout, waterproofing membrane, and sealants are mutually compatible and approved for the pool’s water-treatment system.

• Verify chemical balance before and after filling the pool. Improper water chemistry can damage grout, setting materials, and adjacent finishes.

• Allow the completed installation to cure fully before filling the pool or activating water features.

• Include properly designed expansion and movement joints around changes of plane, coping transitions, penetrations, and structural joints.

• Use flexible sealant rather than rigid grout at appropriate changes of plane and movement locations.

• Construct a sample area before installation when grout color, lighting, or underwater appearance is critical.

Care and Maintenance

• Clean with warm water and a neutral-pH cleaner approved for glazed porcelain and pool tile.

• Use a soft nylon brush, microfiber cloth, or non-abrasive sponge.

• Avoid steel wool, abrasive powders, and aggressive scrubbers that could scratch or dull the reflective glaze.

• Remove waterline deposits before they become heavily established.

• Use calcium-removal products only when they are approved for glazed porcelain, grout, and the surrounding pool materials.

• Maintain balanced pool and spa water chemistry according to the equipment and chemical-system manufacturer’s recommendations.

• The glazed porcelain chips normally do not require sealing. Cement-based grout may require sealing if recommended by its manufacturer.

• Inspect exterior and aquatic installations periodically for loose pieces, failed sealant, cracked grout, or movement-joint deterioration.

Design Profile

• Aesthetic: Coastal luxury, nautical contemporary, resort modern, Mediterranean, and aquatic minimalism

• Color Character: Saturated royal blue with cobalt and deeper marine-blue movement

• Surface Character: Reflective glass-look glaze over durable porcelain

• Pattern Character: Petite staggered bricks forming a clean horizontal rhythm

• Visual Advantage: The deep-blue glaze creates pronounced color and reflection along pool and spa waterlines

• Complementary Coping: White limestone, light travertine, pale marble, quartzite, and architectural concrete

• Complementary Materials: White quartz, warm wood, stainless steel, clear glass, and light neutral porcelain

• Complementary Metals: Polished chrome, brushed nickel, marine-grade stainless steel, and brushed brass

• Suggested Grout Colors: Cobalt or navy creates a unified blue surface, while white or cool gray emphasizes the brick pattern

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fujiwa Glasstel Captain Blue made from glass?

No. It is glazed porcelain engineered to provide a luminous, glass-like appearance with the durability of porcelain.

What is the correct Fujiwa item code?

The official color designation is GLASSTEL-13 Captain Blue.

How large are the individual mosaic pieces?

Each rectangular chip measures approximately 7/8" x 1-7/8".

How much does one sheet cover?

Each nominal 12" x 12" mesh-mounted sheet covers approximately one square foot.

Can it be installed on a swimming-pool waterline?

Yes. Fujiwa specifically lists the Glasstel Series for swimming-pool and spa waterline applications.

Can it be used throughout an entire pool?

Fujiwa specifically publishes waterline use. Pool floors, steps, benches, and other continuously submerged walking surfaces require separate approval from the pool designer, installer, and applicable construction standards.

Can Captain Blue be installed on a shower floor?

No published DCOF or wet-floor slip rating is available. It should not be marketed as a shower-floor tile without written project-specific approval.

Does the porcelain require sealing?

The glazed porcelain surface normally does not require sealing. Cement-based grout may require sealing according to its manufacturer’s instructions.

Is the tile suitable for curved pool walls?

The mesh-mounted small-format construction may accommodate some gently curved surfaces. The installer should confirm the permitted radius and ensure every chip receives adequate mortar contact.

How many sheets are packaged in a carton?

Current distributor packaging lists 20 sheets, covering approximately 20 square feet per carton. Verify the carton label before placing a large order.